British bike brand Bird has launched a metal version of its Aether 29er.
Using similar angles and suspension configuration as the Aether 9C, revealed earlier this year, the aluminum version is classified as a vastly capable trail bike.
Bird is big on progressive geometry, and they do a good job of not overwhelming their designs by simply adding more suspension travel. Designers at the company have recognized that the 130mm dual-suspension 29er is a great default trail bike configuration.
With the Aether 9 AL, Bird offers all the benefits of a responsive mid-travel 29er, at a lower price.
Unlike the 9 C, this aluminum version uses external brake and drivetrain cable routing, but the important design bits are all thoroughly contemporary.
Bold geometry for a 130mm bike
Bird believes that a quality trail bike is all about considered angles, and the Aether 9 AL is true to the longer, lower, and slacker theme.
Using a 140mm fork, it sits at a 65-degree head angle, and the front triangle geometry numbers are very generous. On a size large, you have a roomy 506mm of reach.
The Aether 9 AL bikes might have longer front center specs, but all size variants run a similar 430mm chainstay, which allows for responsiveness and agility in tight corners.
Both the medium-long and large frames have only 700mm of standover height, and with trimmed seat tubes which are shaped with a straight profile, you can run a very long dropper post.
The combination of a short seat tube and low standover allows riders to size up if they wish a longer more stable feeling bike as well as reduce their overall center of gravity when descending.
Bird claims that all but the smallest Aether 9 AL frame size fits a 200mm dropper seat post with ease, while the large and extra-large sizes can use droppers up to 213mm.
